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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team dropped a 107-45 decision to the No. 1 UConn Huskies on Wednesday evening inside Fifth Third Arena. UConn improved to 11-0 on the season and 1-0 in American Athletic Conference play, while UC fell to 4-8 overall and 0-1 in league action.
// THE SHORT STORY
The top-ranked Huskies proved to be too much for the Bearcats in front of a season-high crowd of 2,246 fans. UC was limited to 26 percent (14-of-53) shooting on the night, while UConn fired from the field at a 55 percent (41-of-75) clip. The Huskies featured eight players in double figures, scored 42 points in the paint, and got 46 points from their bench while also and dishing out 25 assists. The Bearcats fell behind quickly, trailing 31-11 after the first quarter and went into halftime facing a 54-22 deficit. UConn continued humming on the offensive end in the second half, increasing its lead throughout, and ultimately handing UC a 107-45 defeat.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Ana Owens: 10 points | 3 assists
Jasmine Whitfield: 9 points | 2 rebounds
Nikira Goings: 7 points | 2 rebounds
Maya Benham: 7 points | 1 steal
UCONN
Breanna Stewart: 16 points | 9 rebounds | 5 assists
Morgan Tuck: 14 points | 4 rebounds | 4 assists
Saniya Chong: 13 points | 4 rebounds | 3 assists
Gabby Williams: 13 points | 4 rebounds
// KEY RUNS
- The Bearcats broke a 9-0 UConn burst to start the game with a three-pointer from senior guard Alyesha Lovett (Newark, N.J./Malcolm X Shabazz) with 7:53 left in the opening quarter. UC trailed by 10, but cut its deficit to six, 13-7, over the next minute. The Huskies then responded with an 18-4 run over the duration of the opening period to take a 31-11 advantage into the second quarter.
- UC was held scoreless over the opening four minutes of the second period before freshman guard Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne) added a free throw to bring the score to 37-12. Over the next six minutes, the Bearcats fell behind by as many as 34 as they were outscored 17-10 over the course of the quarter. UConn took a 54-22 lead into halftime.
- The Bearcats got on the board first in the second half with a pair of free throws from sophomore guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) inside the opening minute of the third period. UConn answered with a 12-0 run to take a then-game-high 66-24 lead with 5:59 to go in the third quarter. The Huskies went on to increase their lead by as many as 48 points, 82-34, with seconds remaining in the third quarter.
- The Bearcats were outscored 25-9 in the final quarter en route to a 107-45 defeat.
// TEAM NOTES
- UC assisted on half of its made field goals with seven dimes.
- The Bearcats got 18 points from their bench including 14 from the freshman guard duo of Goings and Benham.
- Cincinnati had 26 total rebounds including 11 offensive boards.
- UC recorded UConn opponent-season-highs of 16 free-throw attempts and 12 makes.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Owens scored in double-figures for the ninth time this season and 27th time of her career with a team-best 10 points. The sophomore has now led the team in scoring six times this season and 19 times during her career. The guard also dished out a team-high three assists which is the fifth such occasion this season and 21st time of her career being the team's leading assister.
- Lovett scored six points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds. The senior has led the team in boards six times this season and 16 times in her career.
// UP NEXT
UC will continue American Athletic Conference play, this time on the road, when it travels to Orlando, Florida to take on the UCF Knights on Saturday, Jan. 2, at 2 p.m. inside CFE Arena. A live video stream will be available on UCFKnights.com and a live audio stream can be accessed on Bearcats TV.